<p>Guwahati: The Centre has rejected the demand for a "separate administration" in the form of a Union Territory comprising Kuki-dominated areas in <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/manipur">Manipur</a> - the "core condition" set by Kuki-Zo organisations for ending the conflict with the Meiteis.</p><p>Sources in an influential Kuki-Zo organisation told <em>DH</em> that the Centre's interlocutor and advisor of MHA for the Northeast, A K Mishra conveyed this message of Home Minister <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/amit-shah">Amit Shah</a> to the Kuki-Zo organisations during a meeting on March 11 at Churachandpur. The same was conveyed to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla by Shah during a meeting in New Delhi recently, the source said.</p><p>The decision was conveyed ahead of Shah's visit to Assam and Mizoram on March 15 and 16. </p><p>This has created ripples among Kuki-Zo organisations, who have been pressing for a "separate administration" and revoking the Centre's decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that allowed ethnic communities living along the border to visit Myanmar without any travel documents. Sources said the Centre's team on Monday shared a "blueprint" with the Kuki organisations to end the conflict that have killed more than 260 people since May 2023.</p><p>This came amid a blockade on NH-2 and NH-37 by Kuki organisations since March 8. The blockade was imposed after Shah asked officials to restore "free movement" on roads from March 8. </p><p>The Centre's message is likely to trigger outrage as the Kukis including the 10 MLAs and the insurgent groups in suspension of operations agreement pressed for it, saying that the Kukis can't live under the Manipur government, controlled by the Meiteis. </p>.No breakthrough in talks with Kuki groups, MHA officials over 'free movement' initiative in Manipur.<p>The Centre had imposed President's Rule in Manipur on February 13 days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. The MLAs belonging to the NDA partners demanded removal of Singh. Meitei MLAs and groups, however, are against the demand by the Kuki groups. They insisted the Centre to clearly reject the demand and crack down on the Kuki insurgents for restoration of peace. </p><p><strong>Plan of 'referendum'</strong></p><p>The Centre's message against the demand for a "separate administration" has provided a push for having a "referendum" regarding the demand and the next course of action by the Kuki groups. An awareness drive is being conducted among the Kukis about the need for having a "plebiscite." </p><p>"The Nagaland state was born from the Naga Plebiscite - a historical record that proved their people’s will. For us, it is even simpler - we just need to vote on whether to remain under Manipur or to have a Union Territory," said a message being shared as part of the drive. </p><p>"The government of India may reject our referendum, but once it is documented, the world will see the truth of our struggle," It further said.</p>
<p>Guwahati: The Centre has rejected the demand for a "separate administration" in the form of a Union Territory comprising Kuki-dominated areas in <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/manipur">Manipur</a> - the "core condition" set by Kuki-Zo organisations for ending the conflict with the Meiteis.</p><p>Sources in an influential Kuki-Zo organisation told <em>DH</em> that the Centre's interlocutor and advisor of MHA for the Northeast, A K Mishra conveyed this message of Home Minister <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/amit-shah">Amit Shah</a> to the Kuki-Zo organisations during a meeting on March 11 at Churachandpur. The same was conveyed to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla by Shah during a meeting in New Delhi recently, the source said.</p><p>The decision was conveyed ahead of Shah's visit to Assam and Mizoram on March 15 and 16. </p><p>This has created ripples among Kuki-Zo organisations, who have been pressing for a "separate administration" and revoking the Centre's decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that allowed ethnic communities living along the border to visit Myanmar without any travel documents. Sources said the Centre's team on Monday shared a "blueprint" with the Kuki organisations to end the conflict that have killed more than 260 people since May 2023.</p><p>This came amid a blockade on NH-2 and NH-37 by Kuki organisations since March 8. The blockade was imposed after Shah asked officials to restore "free movement" on roads from March 8. </p><p>The Centre's message is likely to trigger outrage as the Kukis including the 10 MLAs and the insurgent groups in suspension of operations agreement pressed for it, saying that the Kukis can't live under the Manipur government, controlled by the Meiteis. </p>.No breakthrough in talks with Kuki groups, MHA officials over 'free movement' initiative in Manipur.<p>The Centre had imposed President's Rule in Manipur on February 13 days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. The MLAs belonging to the NDA partners demanded removal of Singh. Meitei MLAs and groups, however, are against the demand by the Kuki groups. They insisted the Centre to clearly reject the demand and crack down on the Kuki insurgents for restoration of peace. </p><p><strong>Plan of 'referendum'</strong></p><p>The Centre's message against the demand for a "separate administration" has provided a push for having a "referendum" regarding the demand and the next course of action by the Kuki groups. An awareness drive is being conducted among the Kukis about the need for having a "plebiscite." </p><p>"The Nagaland state was born from the Naga Plebiscite - a historical record that proved their people’s will. For us, it is even simpler - we just need to vote on whether to remain under Manipur or to have a Union Territory," said a message being shared as part of the drive. </p><p>"The government of India may reject our referendum, but once it is documented, the world will see the truth of our struggle," It further said.</p>